Toronto, ON – We applaud the federal government on announcing the opening of a new Asian carp science lab in Burlington, ON. Increased research, monitoring and testing for this invasive species in our waterways is a step in the right direction to protect the Great Lakes for future generations. The threat of an Asian carp invasion in the Great Lakes is very real. If they make it into the lakes, they could quickly destroy the ecosystem, along with native fish, the binational fishing industry valued at $7 billion US, and Ontario’s boating and tourism industries. With so much at stake, it’s time to tackle this problem. We hope that the federal and provincial governments will work with their U.S. counterparts to implement a permanent solution in the Chicago Area Waterway System to prevent Asian carp from crossing from the Mississippi River into the Great Lakes. To learn more about the threat of an Asian Carp invasion and what can be done, please download Environmental Defence’s report, Tipping the Scales: How Canada and Ontario Can Prevent an Asian Carp Invasion of the Great Lakes at environmentaldefence.ca/asiancarp About ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (www.environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is Canada’s most effective environmental action organization. We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all. -30- For more information or interview requests, please contact: Jen Mayville, Environmental Defence, 416-323-9521 ext. 228; 905-330-0172 (cell); jmayville@environmentaldefence.ca